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After a nearly 50-year hiatus, America’s first motorcycle is bent on reaffirming its icon status.The Indian Motorcycle Company began over a century ago in Springfield MA when bicycle racer George Hendee teamed up with engineer Oscar Hedstrom to build the first motor-driven bicycle. They called their “motorcycle” company Indian to denote its American roots. By 1902 the company had produced 143 “motorcycles.”

Revolutionary for its time, the first cycle had a 1.75-hp motor and could reach a maximum speed of 30 mph. During its heyday, the Indian brand name oozed with elegance. The name denoted beauty, innovation and style. It had classic styling lines that separated it from other bikes, skirted fenders, spoke wheels, fringed leather seats, wide handle bars and an engine unique in that the barrels were cylindrical instead of the squared ones found on other cycles.

It flaunted its upscale image. Beautifully dressed women and men rode them. The best racers in the world competed on them. It was technological innovator with its electric starter and drum brakes. This was a classic machine that caught the attention of the well-heeled as well as the racing enthusiasts.From 1903 to 1913, Indian Motorcycles enjoyed a golden age dominating the racing circuit. Racers around the world set and broke every international speed and distance record on them. Until the 1940s, the company continued to produce new models and break records. It was during this time that the company introduced the skirted fenders, its most recognizable design feature.America literally went to war on Indian Motorcycles, supplying as many as 40,000 for government use during World War II. “The bike was perfect for battle if you were a right-handed shooter because all the controls, foot clutch, gear shift lever and left hand throttle were on the left-hand side, leaving the right hand free to shoot the enemy,” said Frank O’Connell, CEO of the company. The Motorcycle Specialist School at Camp Lee in Virginia, was the best in the country, training soldiers to use to use the cycle in warfare. Raw recruits who had never driven a motorcycle before emerged with near-exper skills after the four-week training course.Unfortunately for Indian Motorcycles, with so much product going to the war effort, little was left for its dealerships. The company ceased production in 1953. Forty-five years of legal battles ensued over use of the Indian name. Finally, the government launched a six-year, worldwide clean-up mission, which resulted in the auction of the rights to the brand’s name and logos. Part of the condition to acquiring the brand name was that a company had to demonstrate its ability to successfully bring the product back to the marketplace. The challenge would be met when an investment group from Canada teamed up with the California Motorcycle Company. To make their point in court, they created a prototype and drove it into the courtroom. The result is the Indian Motorcycle company you see today, located in Gilroy CA. Headed by long-time motorcycle owner, rider and enthusiast Frank O’Connell, Indian is set to pick up where it left off more than 45 years ago. For each of the first three years after reclaiming the name rights, 1999 to 2001 a new model was introduced, the Chief, Scout and Spirit. During that time, the bikes were composed of standard parts that were being made for other cycles and the motorcycle after market. There was no time to design a proprietary motor chassis since that is a 3-year development process. The bikes were composed of other elements recognized on other bikes, particularly Harley Davidson. But at the same time, the company was working on its new proprietary motor and chassis. In May of this year, brand new elements were introduced, containing the Indian DNA from the pre-1953 bikes. Indian was known for creating beautiful motors then and now. An all-new, 100 cubic inch engine is here, designed and made strictly for Indian along with its own chassis, frame and suspension. This is the largest American-made cubic inch engine. The round cylinders are fitted with polished, coin-edged tops called rocker box covers that can be removed while the engine is still in the frame. The round cylinders and heads are not only a nice design feature but they help to improve airflow and engine cooling.

Headlining Indian’s stable is the Chief model which features the Powerplus 100, a 45 degree V-twin engine, an electronic, computer-controlled ignition and a constant mesh, 5-speed transmission. With its 76 ft.-lbs of torque, this powerhouse of an engine produces up to 75-hp with no modification. The uncluttered design offers a perfect view of the Mikuni 42mm flat-side carburetor.

The original Indian engine was distinctive because the carburetor was on the left hand side. Other original design cues remain. The large skirted fenders carry the brand’s distinctive S-curve design. The front fender curves off into the rear fender. The distinctive Indian headlight was also kept as well as the fringed leather seat.

The Chief comes in three models; the basic model carries an MSRP of $20,495, the Chief Deluxe runs at $21,795 and the Chief Roadmaster at $22,995.What makes this Indian run circles around all others is its classic style. Frank O’Connell summed it up. “Indian Motorcycle riders see themselves as independent thinkers, wanting something classic and American made, with beautiful styling above all others. They are not looking to join a club. This is the bike for the real non-conformist,” O’Connell said.